Personally Owned Devices (PODs)
FCPS has recommended to principals that students be allowed to bring their personally owned computing devices (PODs) to school to use for instructional purposes. PODs include laptops, eReaders, netbooks, tablets (such as iPad, Xoom, etc.), and smartphones. Cellular phones with no data/internet capability are not considered a computing device and are not included in this initiative. Effective February 1, 2012, Madison will implement a new electronic use policy.
At Madison High School, we believe that students should be allowed to use their PODs in school, with teacher permission. PODs are a part of our everyday personal and professional lives, and it is our obligation to teach students how to appropriately manage the wealth of information that is readily available.
Following consultations with Thoreau Middle School and Oakton and Marshall High Schools, as well as JMHS faculty, students and parents, Madison has developed a plan to enable students to use these devices in school. This plan will allow us to register PODs and monitor usage in school, but we do need support from the community. Should you choose to allow your student to bring a POD to school, please take the time to thoroughly read the necessary agreement form and have a conversation with your child about his/her responsibility for the device. Teachers and other staff will not store or hold PODs, and our technicians will not support, repair, or troubleshoot devices. Also, if classroom teachers do not allow the use of a POD, then students are expected to keep them off and out of sight. Madison students will be permitted to use PODs during lunch in the cafeteria, during SAP, and while visiting the library.
Students who register their PODs are bound to and must comply with the following:
• Regulation 6410: Appropriate Use of Fairfax County Public Schools' Network and Internet Resources
• Regulation 2601: Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Regulation 6401: Student Use of FCPS Network and Internet Resources
• DIT Technical Bulletin 302: Use of Privately Owned Computing Devices on FCPS Networks
Compliance pertains to use while on FCPS property or while involved in any FCPS sponsored event/activity, or when using FCPS resources, regardless of who owns the computer or device used by the student or how it is connected. Additionally, devices that are not registered, are not used with permission by the teacher, or are used in "technology-free" areas of the school (signs will be posted) are subject to confiscation.
Please remember that the decision to bring PODs to school is completely yours; however, the above referenced agreement form must be submitted prior to any student using his or her POD. We will continue to provide technologies for our students to be successful in classroom.
